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AUTHORS:KEUNG_NICHOLASen-caTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:09:22 EDTTue, 31 Mar 2015 17:09:22 EDTCopyright Toronto Star 1996-2013 , http://www.thestar.com/termshttp://www.thestar.com60TORONTO STARhttp://www.thestar.com/etc/designs/thestar/images/general/thestar_250x40.pnghttp://www.thestar.com/feeds.articles.authors_keung_nicholas.rss
Mass ejection of temporary foreign workers loomshttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/27/mass-ejection-of-temporary-foreign-workers-loomsmass-ejection-of-temporary-foreign-workers-looms.html
c336d0e7-9767-4b72-b9a7-3162503c5a7bFri, 27 Mar 2015 17:27:00 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/27/mass-ejection-of-temporary-foreign-workers-loomsmass-ejection-of-temporary-foreign-workers-looms/bangon-putthawandee-1.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Under Ottawa's "4-in-4-out" rule, the first wave of temporary foreign workers must leave on April 1 and faces a ban to return within four years.Under Ottawa's "4-in-4-out" rule, the first wave of temporary foreign workers must leave on April 1 and faces a ban to return within four years.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterAt a March 21 farewell dinner organized by supporters of some of the departing migrant workers from Central America in Leamington, workers held up signs that said, "Permanent Work," "I don't agree with the 4-and-4 rule" and "I want permanent work and for the law to change."SUPPLIED PHOTOFlanked by advocates, temporary foreign workers protested in front of Immigration Minister Chris Alexander's empty office, at 8:30 p.m. on a recent Tuesday, after they finished work for the day.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARFlanked by advocates, temporary foreign workers protested in front of Immigration Minister Chris Alexander's empty office, at 8:30 p.m. on a recent Tuesday, after they finished work for the day.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARGlobal asylum claims rise 45%, but Canada lags in receiving refugees http://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/26/global-asylum-claims-rise-45-but-canada-lags-in-receiving-refugees.html
d15d5314-de00-44c3-be7a-4069e8173614Thu, 26 Mar 2015 00:01:00 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/25/global-asylum-claims-rise-45-but-canada-lags-in-receiving-refugees/syrian-refugees.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>United Nations report reveals that Canada is at the bottom of a top-15 list of receiving countries, with 13,500 claims reported in 2014.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterSyrian refugees who fled violence in Ain al-Arab, known also as Kobani, are seen outside their tents in a camp in the border town of Suruc, Turkey. About 200,000 people arrived in Turkey since the start of fighting between Kurdish militia and Islamic State militants mid-September, part of a mass movement that has made Syria the top country for asylum claims worldwide.
Emrah GurelAPCanada faces dramatic drop in citizenship, prompting concerns about disengaged immigrantshttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/24/canada-faces-dramatic-drop-in-citizenship-prompting-concerns-about-disengaged-immigrants.html
06e1a083-3369-4c58-aec9-fe470a3982d3Tue, 24 Mar 2015 05:00:00 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/24/canada-faces-dramatic-drop-in-citizenship-prompting-concerns-about-disengaged-immigrants/andrew-griffith.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>New rules and fees appear to be raising barriers to becoming Canadian, with rates dropping from 79% to 26% between 2000 and 2008 newcomers.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterFormer citizenship director general Andrew Griffith, who oversaw the early days of the citizenship reforms, retired in 2013.SUPPLIED PHOTOJean Augustine, Ontario's fairness commissioner, retires at 77http://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/22/jean-augustine-ontarios-fairness-commissioner-retires-at-77.html
01ba1843-7ee6-4fa5-8725-fa41ba0db79fSun, 22 Mar 2015 17:32:19 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/22/jean-augustine-ontarios-fairness-commissioner-retires-at-77/jean-reaches.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Augustine, who entered Canada as a domestic worker, has spent 8 years trying to ensure foreign-trained professionals get a fair shot.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterJean Augustine, who worked as a domestic when she first came to Canada, has helped to turn Ontario into a model of fairer access to licensure for foreign-trained professionals.COLIN MCCONNELLTORONTO STARForeign students left behind in new Express Entry immigration programhttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/21/foreign-students-left-behind-in-new-express-entry-immigration-program.html
37f102ab-7c75-42c9-b448-d28947838578Sat, 21 Mar 2015 20:28:32 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/21/foreign-students-left-behind-in-new-express-entry-immigration-program/olivia-siswanto.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Their once prized assets — Canadian education credentials and post-graduation work experience — mean little under the program’s points system.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterMartyna Krezel, an international graduate from Poland, could only score a maximum 444 points without the out-of-reach labour market assessment certificate, a fact that puts foreign graduates like her at a disadvantage in the new immigration system.SUPPLIED PHOTOOlivia Siswanto, an international student from Indonesia, was the poster girl for the 2008 launch of Ottawa's program to attract foreign students to apply for permanent residency. Now, foreign students say they are being left behind by Canada's new Express Entry program.AARON HARRISTORONTO STAR FILE PHOTOImmigration study ranks low-income rates in Canada by source countryhttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/20/government-studies-immigrant-incomes-by-where-they-come-from.html
42b31bbb-f66e-4193-bc29-cfbdb1350892Fri, 20 Mar 2015 12:41:00 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/20/government-studies-immigrant-incomes-by-where-they-come-from/newcitizens20.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Recent Chinese, South Korean and Taiwanese immigrants are among the mostly likely to have low incomes, but few use social assistance, Citizenship and Immigration Canada finds.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterNew Canadians who took their oath of citizenship earlier in the day sing the national anthem at the Raptors-Wizards game at the Air Canada Centre in February. A government study obtained by the Star studies immigrant incomes against their countries of origin.
Richard LautensToronto Star File PhotoToronto universities team up on foreign student peer grouphttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/18/toronto-universities-team-up-on-foreign-student-peer-group.html
c9b3f54f-8bf3-4db6-9062-dacedcc95154Wed, 18 Mar 2015 20:34:34 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/18/toronto-universities-team-up-on-foreign-student-peer-group/peer-group.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Far away from home, foreign students must deal with homesickness, cultural shock, pressure to meet parents' expectations and new responsibilities.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterSpeaking Your Language participants, from left, include Adela Zyfi and her sister Jona, both from Albania; Elaine Yu from China; Ridzki Samsulhadi from Indonesia and Elisa Chang from Taiwan.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARRyerson student Adela Zyfi, 19, from Albania, said, "Getting used to being by myself has been the biggest struggle."NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STAROCAD student Elaine Yu, 22, from China, said, "In Chinese education, you memorize, recite and ace your exams. Canadian education encourages participation and creative ideas. But in our culture, you raise your hand before you speak out of respect. It's very different."NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARU of T student Elisa Chang, 19, from Taiwan, said, "I was discouraged to talk and make friends. And I became anti-social. I struggled in school but I did not want my parents to know."NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARRyerson student Jona Zyfi, 23, from Albania, said, "The first two months in Canada were exciting and fun. After that I started to feel homesick. I called my mom at 3 a.m. crying because I ran out of clothes and didn't know how to do laundry. My birthday is around Christmas. I was so lonely I just sat there flipping through pictures."NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARRyerson student Ridzki Samsulhadi, 26, from Indonesia, said the sense of isolation can be even greater for foreign students studying in smaller communities. "I didn't even know of another Indonesian (in Lethbridge). When I moved to Toronto a couple years ago, I met some Indonesian students in days."NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARNon-citizens shocked to get voter registration reminder from Elections Canadahttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/14/non-citizens-shocked-to-get-voter-registration-reminder-from-elections-canada.html
ca48e85b-71cc-4f18-bfb6-d5308c186c83Sat, 14 Mar 2015 21:06:21 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/14/non-citizens-shocked-to-get-voter-registration-reminder-from-elections-canada/troy-dearborn-and-alice-campbell.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Josue David Balarezo Flores might have been delighted to be urged to vote — if he wasn’t still waiting just to become a permanent resident.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterTroy Dearborn, whose wife from England got the Elections Canada registration notice, said it made them feel mocked by a government that has been slow to process her application for permanent residence.SUPPLIED PHOTOA voter registration notice (portions blacked out to protect the privacy of the recipient), asks the person receiving it to indicate whether he or she is a citizen.‘Wintegration’ a Canuck adventure for newcomershttp://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/03/13/wintegration-a-canuck-adventure-for-newcomers.html
0c310bf6-a068-4495-bd28-60a11cd4c2ecFri, 13 Mar 2015 20:13:11 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/gta/2015/03/13/wintegration-a-canuck-adventure-for-newcomers/conservation-official.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>A Sunday snowshoeing expedition is among the outings that introduce newcomers to the great traditions of their new homeland.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterLisa Ward, multicultural program coordinator for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, shows participants a traditional snowshoe.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARGuillermo Galan, a computer engineer from Spain, takes a break on a snow bank while waiting for the rest of the group on the trail.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARFrom left, Johanna Colmenares and husband Dario Calle, both from Colombia; Canadian mentor Katie Wittman; and Daniel Gutierrez, an architect also from Colombia pose for a photo on the trail.Nicholas KeungToronto StarMembers of the group start out on the snowshoeing trail, gingerly stepping out in the unfamiliar footgear.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARA girl from India, stumped by a snowbank despite having her snowshoes on, awaits rescue from her mother.
NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARAngelina Prystai, 11, and her friend, Miroslava Kasitskaya, 9, IN the foreground, try to tie up the straps of their snowshoes.Nicholas Keungtoronto starTwo participants in the snowshoe walk take photos of each other. Lots of winter shots will find their way back to family and friends in home countries where snow is unknown.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARWintegration coordinator Elizabeth Hamulka (far right) helps serve hot drinks and snacks to newcomers after a day of snowshoeing at Albion Hills.nicholas keungtoronto starThe entire Wintegration Club group poses for a photo in the snow before leaving Albion Hills. NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STAROntario’s ethnocultural legal clinics get new fundinghttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/13/ontarios-ethnocultural-legal-clinics-get-new-funding.html
b94ffd4a-d03d-4cf7-9170-e572d7bb7f75Fri, 13 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/12/ontarios-ethnocultural-legal-clinics-get-new-funding/deepa-mattoo.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Ethnolinguistic legal clinics will get a slice of $4.2 million in extra funding for Legal Aid, though the bulk of the money will go to mainstream clinics.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterLawyer Deepa Mattoo speaks six languages and is one of five caseworkers at the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario. She is seen here with a client at one of its eight satellite locations housed at the India Rainbow Community Services of Peel in Mississauga.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARSettlement reached on transgender detainee’s complainthttp://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2015/03/12/settlement-reached-on-transgender-detainees-complaint.html
4f81ef19-2f53-4746-8cc2-cb6111be2514Thu, 12 Mar 2015 19:37:00 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/queenspark/2015/03/12/settlement-reached-on-transgender-detainees-complaint/1000-avery-edisonjpg.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>A transgender woman from the U.K. who was detained at a men’s jail in Toronto has settled a human rights claim against the Ontario government.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterAvery Edison was held at Milton’s Maplehurst Correctional Complex for 20 hours before she was moved to the nearby Vanier Centre for Women in February 2014.Family denied Disney vacation by U.S. customs gets seized electronics backhttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/11/family-denied-disney-vacation-by-us-customs-gets-seized-electronics-back.html
e9804a86-d6af-4f49-bc46-284a74453dddWed, 11 Mar 2015 10:14:31 EDT<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/11/family-denied-disney-vacation-by-us-customs-gets-seized-electronics-back/al-rawi.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>More than two weeks after their dream trip to Disney was spoiled by U.S. customs officials, the Al-Rawis of Mississauga are reunited with their seized electronics.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterPhysician Firas Al-Rawi and his wife and children, all Canadian citizens, were shocked and humiliated by their treatment at the airport on the way to a long-anticipated visit to Disney World over the Family Day week.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARRoma family of 39 wins case for asylum in federal courthttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/07/roma-family-of-39-wins-case-for-asylum-in-federal-court.html
43c213d1-ef64-4ade-87bc-67f925613c9cSat, 7 Mar 2015 21:20:00 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/07/roma-family-of-39-wins-case-for-asylum-in-federal-court/richard-racz.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Three generations of the Racz family fled an epicenter of violence against ethnic Roma, but were caught up in Ottawa’s moves to discredit Hungarian refugees.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterRichard Racz with his daughter, Mirella, 9.FAMILY PHOTORoma Hungarian Aladar Racz and wife Aladarne led their family of 39 to refuge in Canada in 2011 from Gyongyospata, where Roma residents were evacuated due to racist violence by neo-Nazis.FAMILY PHOTODisney vacation turns to nightmare for Mississauga family http://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/03/disney-vacation-turns-to-nightmare-for-mississauga-family.html
2439b455-5d10-4e0b-9ccb-cd18f528814dTue, 3 Mar 2015 17:04:00 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/03/disney-vacation-turns-to-nightmare-for-mississauga-family/firas-al-rawi-and-family.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Doctor’s family was held by U.S. customs, refused entry and sent home — without their iPads and laptops — becoming part of the more than 330 people a day denied entrance to the U.S.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterPhysician Firas Al-Rawi and his wife and children, all Canadian citizens, were shocked and humiliated by their treatment at the airport on the way to a long-anticipated visit to Disney World over the Family Day week. They still haven't got their confiscated electronics back.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARLawyer admits to negligence representing Roma refugeeshttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/02/lawyer-admits-to-negligence-representing-roma-refugees.html
7be01bdd-1787-4ba2-b348-e36200a76621Mon, 2 Mar 2015 18:15:43 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/02/lawyer-admits-to-negligence-representing-roma-refugees/viktor-hohots.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Roma Hungarian refugee claimants, most now deported, blamed Viktor Hohots’s poor preparation for the failure of their asylum cases.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterAt a law society disciplinary hearing, Toronto refugee lawyer Viktor Hohots, who represented hundreds of Roma Hungarian refugees, admitted to professional misconduct for failing to adequately prepare some of his clients' claims for asylumJozsef Pusuma and his wife, Timea Daroczi, came here with daughter Viktoria from Hungary in 2009. They were among 18 complainants against lawyer Viktor Hohots. After three years of living in sanctuary in a church, the family gave up hope and was deported in December.NICHOLAS KEUNGTORONTO STARCanada’s refugee acceptance rate up despite asylum restrictionshttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/03/01/canadas-refugee-acceptance-rate-up-despite-asylum-restrictions.html
5a8b8f1d-6d8b-4f5e-ab0d-e583198adf5dSun, 1 Mar 2015 23:18:57 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/03/01/canadas-refugee-acceptance-rate-up-despite-asylum-restrictions/sean-rehaag.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Despite Canada's tightened asylum process, acceptance rates continued to grow for refugees from countries Ottawa deems safe for the persecuted.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporter"The government should explain how exactly it considers Hungary 'safe' while at the same time recognizing that hundreds of Hungarians have well-founded fears of persecution," says Sean Rehaag, an immigration law professor at Osgoode Hall.New law to let Canadian officials share immigrants’ personal infohttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/02/28/new-law-to-let-canadian-officials-share-immigrants-personal-info.html
366afdca-7e4a-4939-9156-4abdb87a7c8cSat, 28 Feb 2015 17:57:00 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/02/28/new-law-to-let-canadian-officials-share-immigrants-personal-info/flag.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Plan would boost information sharing between immigration and border enforcement officials, Employment Canada, Revenue Canada, the RCMP and provinces.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterUnder proposed changes to the law, Canadian Immigration officials would have access to personal information from other government agencies for enforcement purposes.DARRYL DYCKTHE CANADIAN PRESS file photoFormer refugees face losing residency in Canada if they return to homelandhttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/02/23/former-refugees-face-losing-residency-in-canada-if-they-return-to-homeland.html
e756cf06-96af-42f6-a866-0c1c4d4bca2bMon, 23 Feb 2015 11:55:43 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/02/23/former-refugees-face-losing-residency-in-canada-if-they-return-to-homeland/milan-kumar-karki.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>With 2012 changes to immigration laws, the number of former refugees who lost their protected status — and permanent residency — has almost quintupled.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterMore than 10 years after he was granted refugee status and became a permanent resident, Toronto's Milan Kumar Karki was told in January that he has returned for extended stays in Nepal numerous times and "no longer required Canada's surrogate protection." He may now lose his permanent residency and be deported.NICHOLAS KEUNGDance imitates life in class aimed at helping migrant youth cope with challengeshttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/02/15/dance-imitates-life-in-class-aimed-at-helping-migrant-youth-cope-with-challenges.html
9b0958e6-270b-4105-a623-629133bf80baSun, 15 Feb 2015 21:44:00 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/02/15/dance-imitates-life-in-class-aimed-at-helping-migrant-youth-cope-with-challenges/franscois-dushimiyimana-breakdance.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>Weekly program helps at-risk young immigrants, many living here alone and undocumented, find solace and confidence.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterHaydar Ahmed and Chinue, seen in the backrow, with Ane'ssa Hanson in the middle, and Francois Dushimiyimana in the foreground.NICHOLAS KEUNGFrontrow: Francois Dushimiyimana (left) and Ane'ssa Hanson (middle) take instruction instructor and choreographer Irvin Washington (right in hoodie) on Tinashe's All Hands On Deck.NICHOLAS KEUNGFrancois Dushimimana (back), with Ane'ssa Hanson and Chinue (in pink) drill on their newly learned hip hop moves with instructor choreogrpher Irvin Washington (front)NICHOLAS KEUNGCritics call for fine-tuning of federal skilled immigration programhttp://www.thestar.com/news/immigration/2015/02/13/critics-call-for-fine-tuning-of-federal-skilled-immigration-program.html
142ff459-f8c0-4f50-b52a-ffaed5a7913eFri, 13 Feb 2015 17:50:00 EST<img src="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/immigration/2015/02/13/critics-call-for-fine-tuning-of-federal-skilled-immigration-program/chris-alexander.jpg.size.xxlarge.original.jpg"><br/>A total of 779 made the cut-off of Ottawa’s revamped skilled immigration program, but critics say securing a positive LMIA is close to impossible.
Nicholas Keung - Immigration reporterCitizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander says he's happy with the results of the Express Entry program's program’s inaugural draw.Andrew VaughanTHE CANADIAN PRESS file photo